There’s no denying that the 650b Stumpjumper FSR Elite stands out from the crowd – that almost fluoro paint job is quite the head-turner – but the Stumpy’s ride is perhaps less likely to turn heads.
The Stumpy is a hugely capable machine, as perfectly at home on long XC rides as it is being pointed down your nearest mountain and letting off the brakes. It just sits towards the middle of the bike handling bell-curve. It’s neither a twitchy, nervous descender nor an elongated enduro sled.
Sensible specification
The Elite is the top of the line alloy Stumpjumper, the M5 alloy frame helping keep the weight to a reasonable, if not stunning, 12.97kg (large). While the kit plugged into the frame may not be top drawer, it’s all high performing – rather than the top RCT3 RockShox Pike, the simpler but still hugely capable RC model is fitted. Likewise, Shimano SLX brakes might not be super trick, but they are solid performers, more than capable of controlling the bike on steep, long descents. If we’re honest though, for the price we weren’t bowled over by the spec.
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The Stumpy's angles add up to an accomplished, fairly traditional trail bike
Specialized have stuck with its FSR suspension design for years now, and it’s easy to see why. The four-bar linkage allows the suspension to stay active during braking, rather than stiffening up. This means that on rough descents the suspension remains controlled and compliant, sticking your rear wheel to the ground and maximising the effectiveness of your brakes. With the shock in its fully open setting though, there is some pedal bob, especially when sprinting or climbing out of the saddle.
Nip, not tuck
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